text:
The Devoid Family
Since 1946
Member of Vermont Fresh Network
Maple Meadow Farm is family owned and operated by George E. & Jackie Devoid, the second generation of Devoids. The third generation, our daughter Jen and her husband George are also part of the family farm.
We at Maple Meadow Farm produce fresh shell eggs for sale and distribution throughout the State of Vermont and into the Ticonderoga-Port Henry area in New York. We sell wholesale and have a retail store on site at our Farm. We deliver to Grocery Stores, Restaurants, Schools, Institutions and other distributors.
We take great pride in providing a quality shell egg and great service to our customers. We have 65,000 hens laying eggs in our barns. By Vermont standards this is very large, but by national standards we are tiny. We compete for market space with farms that have millions of hens. Being small allows us to remain family operated, focused on our product and the clients we sell to. We enjoy being part of our community and do as much business as we can with local businesses. We also produce Vermont Maple Syrup in the spring. We sell this wholesale to some of our accounts and retail in our Farm Store.
We are very excited about our new cage free facility which is now home to 6,000 of our hens. Our all natural, cage free eggs are available for wholesalers to sell in stores in limited quanities. See pictures and more details on our Cage Free Eggs.
To have Maple Meadow Farm eggs delivered to your store, school or restaurant, contact us today using our wholesale egg account form, e-mail us at
|Home |About Us |Products |Why Buy |Our Facilities |Cage Free Eggs |Where to Buy |Contact Us |Retail Store |Wholesalers
Maple Meadow Farm, Inc
518 Maple Street
Salisbury, VT 05769
Hours (Office & Store):
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Friday:
8 AM to 12:00 PM
(Closed Wednesday, Saturday & Sunday)
Quality Vermont eggs from the Devoid Family since 1946


text:
A limited budget has made adaptability a top theme this year and The Solar Homestead exemplifies this facet of sustainable design better than most. A half-bath, outdoor shower and outdoor kitchen can be flexibly transitioned into an office, guest bedroom or independent cabin space. Nearly 900 square feet of flexible space is arranged around the great porch, allowing for plenty of natural light to permeate the spaces, in turn minimizing electricity needs. Forty-two photovoltaic panels terrace the roof and power the home.
Bringing this net-zero building to the world stage was the result of large scale collaboration between Appalachian State's student and faculty community. The results speak to the idea that energy independent living can be stylish and comfortable.
Textured materials add interest and evoke a natural harmony with the surroundings, negative spaces in furniture allows a flow of air and the elements, and a great porch connects the mobile buildings while standing exposed the wide open landscape.
Outside of functional design, the Appalachians proved their worth as entertainers by tying with New Zealand, Canada and Maryland for first place in the home entertainment contest. A gourmet autumn-inspired menu of squash soup, mac + cheese muffinettes, stuffed mushrooms, Carolina dry rub pork chops and apple blueberry bars may have played a part in the neighbors' positive reception of this mountain dwelling.
The Solar Homestead may not rank as comfortable as Ohio State's glass-sided enCORE (currently in 2nd overall), but we still think it's pretty special. And, the competition isn't over yet! The grand prize winner will be announced tomorrow!
Keep following Inhabitat's coverage of the 2011 Solar Decathlon to see which home wins the heat!
+ 2011 Solar Decathlon
Photos © Amanda Silvana Coen for Inhabitat

subset: commoncrawl


text:
Today's VIS image shows a portion of Utopia Planitia that is covered by dust devil tracks.
Orbit Number: 47084 Latitude: 52.1033 Longitude: 91.7234 Instrument: VIS Captured: 2012-07-26 02:22
Please see the THEMIS Data Citation Note for details on crediting THEMIS images.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory manages the 2001 Mars Odyssey mission for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, Washington, D.C. The Thermal Emission Imaging System (THEMIS) was developed by Arizona State University, Tempe, in collaboration with Raytheon Santa Barbara Remote Sensing. The THEMIS investigation is led by Dr. Philip Christensen at Arizona State University. Lockheed Martin Astronautics, Denver, is the prime contractor for the Odyssey project, and developed and built the orbiter. Mission operations are conducted jointly from Lockheed Martin and from JPL, a division of the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena.


text:
When Phantom Koala was Young
– A Koala Saga of the Mt Warning Caldera Region, Australia, the World…….this poem is dedicated to ALL the Koalas out there, doing the "hard yards" in our "ridiculously good looking" urban, rural and recreational expansions-
When Phantom Koala was still a youth,
his Mother left and said in truth
"I'll make it to the Coastal tree, the one I love to eat. Yummie!"
"I'll stay a month, then come right back" (little knowing "they'd" change her track).
So off she went to her favourite tree.Goodbyes to PK and his Sisters three, she'd cross through Mooball – the forests there had fragrant leaves in the cool crisp air. Then smelling the breeze of the ocean true she'd make her way with her corridor view to her favourite tree, and it's leaves so rare and then she'd spend a few weeks there.
Getting there was kind of rough
but PK's Mama was very tough.
Her way was blocked by a tall steel screen
making her travel much longer – how mean!
So when she arrived – how her body did ache
from that extra long journey those roadworks did make.
However, once climbing her favourite tree,PK's Mama felt happy and free. She'd catch up on news of her cousins and friends as they sampled the leaves of the fine coastal blends.
Then later, as winds shifted northern and strong,her thoughts shifted also – to where she belonged. With her children, the ranges – of Mooball and beyond. Her tall homeland trees of which she was fond.
She could venture home now, and "Next Year", she thought "I'll show PK this way, although it's not short.He can sample the trees of the coastal wetland and meet all his cousins – it will be really grand!"
But sadly she found she was hopelessly caught. The route to her homeland was suddenly fraught
with DANGER – more FENCES – MACHINERY too……
PK's Mama thought "Oh now what to do?"
She wandered for ages – for weeks up and down.
Running from people and dogs from a town.
She lost herself twice as she struggled to find
a way back to her hills and away from this bind.
So long did she struggle to find her way home,twice fleeing from males – big Koalas – so strong. Blocked off from her country to which she belonged.
Long nights did she call for her dear PK boy……
Then one winter's night she heard an
It was PK – her son but he sounded afar
Across the deep void of the roadway and tar.
He'd travelled some distance, to find her but then
the big roadway stopped him at a small shady glen,
So climbing heroically tall tree tops there, he heard his Mama through the clear coastal air as she called out his name. They both ran to their fence.
Lives divided by wire, trucks and our "commonsense".
So now that this epic resolves, I'll show you that PK and his Mother are still in the View, but severity lingers with human road-forms and houses, developments – all of our "norms", that split our dear HERO from his MOTHER in space. And tho' time heals his woes, no one argues his case.
Pk's winter retreats to talk with his Mom revive all his feeling of how she's not "home".
He'd share all his stories to those with an ear, those people who'd see that it's wrong just to "clear".
Building fences and roadways to imprison his friends (to Pk it seems that this pace knows no ends)
Yet in quiet midnight hours of his winter retreat…
His talks with his Mother – of memories sweet….
YET – NEVER to touch her, nor sit with her close.
BIG ROADS AND BIG FENCES – they do more than you suppose!
if you want to find out How Phantom Koala earned his "Hero" status, by travelling to find his mother who had become trapped in Kings forest on the Tweed Coast of NE NSW, Australia, read the second Koala poem about him at bluecray.org – "There is a Way"


text:
Tami L
God Bless to all
This site is being maintained as a memorial to Jonathan Baker Johnson. Jonathan was killed in a auto accident in March 2010. My condolences to his family and close friends. I only knew Jonathan through this website. I am the nurse he mentions in the correspondence page. Much of the information on the site relating to my former therapist, Jerry Leach, is outdated. However, there remains some good information from which people can learn from and use.Anyone visiting this site can either leave a comment on the feedback page I have set up or contact Christine Spencer if they have any questions regarding this site.
Here is a place for transgender Christians of all shades to find encouragement. Transgender Christians have a unique challenge and opportunity. Here you'll find lots of information from "what is gender" to deep theology to help you on your way. If you have questions or ideas, please Contact me.
You Are not AloneIt can be hard to believe - there are many, many transgender Christians. We are devout in our faith and sincere in our gender. We range from ordained pastors to privately bigender to biblical saints! Visit the Stories page to hear the pilgrimages of Christians growing into their gender. There are Organizations specifically for trans Christians, Denominations that embrace us, and all sorts of Links to other trans Christian websites.
Transgender Christians are Christians, too
I know what they say about us. 'How can you be a Christian and transgender?' The same as everyone else!
I dedicated myself to finding the honest truth about whether living out transgenderism is in the Spirit of God. I have gone through my own journey of gender and learned about Eunuchs, Intersex people, and the character of God and examining all possible Christian Objections. I utterly believe Christianity is completely harmonious with transgenderism. This is the essence of this website. I'm currently writing a Book on the subject.
What's this "Transgender" Stuff?
Confused? We've all been there. Get acquainted with the jargon and concepts in Trans & Gender 101.


text:
Drivers involved in fatal car crashes were more often "lost in thought" than distracted by mobile phones, police data show.
Ten percent of auto accidents that caused death involved at least one motorist who was distracted, the Erie Insurance Group said this week in a statement on its analysis of national crash data. Daydreaming or being "lost in thought" was the distraction 62 percent of the time, compared with 12 percent for mobile-phone use, Erie said.
Auto insurers including State Farm and Allstate have publicized the risks of distracted driving. Carriers have been urging motorists to focus on operating their vehicles as mobile phones and cars add features that can take drivers' attention off the road.
"The results were disturbing," Doug Smith, senior vice president of personal lines at Erie, said in the statement released Wednesday. His company advises letting incoming calls go to voicemail and pulling over to send text messages.
The AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety advises drivers to stay focused on the dangers of the road by playing the "what if" game and asking themselves how they would react to unexpected events on the road. Motorists should also identify and overcome any diversions that are responsible for daydreaming, the group said on its website.
"Treat driving as a complicated task requiring your full attention," the foundation said. "Remember, 20 complex decisions are needed for every mile you drive."
The U.S. Department of Transportation declared April as National Distracted Driving Awareness Month as part of its effort to help motorists focus on the road. Geico, the car insurance unit owned by Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc., advises drivers to shun food as well as phones when on the road, and to limit the number of passengers in the car.
Among the biggest distractions for drivers are rubbernecking, talking with other people in the car, eating, and moving an object in the vehicle, such as a pet, according to Erie's statement.
Police judgment is used to compile the data and could understate the extent of distracted driving because of motorists' reluctance to tell an officer their attention was off the road, Smith said.
Erie, based in the Pennsylvania city of the same name, looked at 2010 and 2011 data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's Fatality Analysis Reporting System. State Farm issued a study in November that found almost half of drivers between the ages of 18 and 29 use the internet behind the wheel.
Allstate, the largest publicly traded U.S. auto and home insurer, is running an online campaign to get teenagers to stop texting while driving.


text:
POLICE were called to an incident outside Oakdale Comprehensive School yesterday (THURS) where a 15-year-old boy was allegedly threatened with a knife.
Another 15-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident on Penmaen Road which happened at around 8.30am. Police are "working closely" with the school to establish the circumstances surrounding the matter.


text:
Search the Community
Showing results for tags 'moc'.
Found 1 result
LEGO Photography
Jackeatley posted a blog entry in Jackeatley's BlogI was going to leave this bit till the end, but i thought it should go up top, its quick tips, and might save you from reading my long and possibly geeky and self absorbed little piece. 1: Stabilize, Stabilize, Stabilize. For the love of all that is holy, keep that camera still. Stuff in the frame can move, the camera really shouldn't, it leads to nasty blurry photos that even a dog would pronounce dodgy. Do it by any means, wedge you iPhone up with random objects, use a tripod, use tape, anything, just don't let it move. 2: Lights Light is everything, you could get freaky like me and start using flashlights to augment you lego shots, or just use a set of flashes to get a nice clean shot. Experiment with it, and make sure you have enough, otherwise blurry or noisy photos will result. 3: Its ALIVE! Your lego is alive, you've created a fire department that goes to fires and races down the wrong side of the road, don't be afraid to get down on the carpet with your lego and take pictures of your fire trucks like the local fire buffs would. Firstly before we jump headlong into pressing shutter buttons, a little bit about how photos work, please skip ahead if you know what i'm about to say. And remember that i'm only any good at taking them, i'm no photoshop expert, on all things graphic design and photoshop i'd say Dakota would be your man. A photograph is an exposure of light onto an imaging area, IE Film, or a digital sensor. If we just assume that no one is shooting lego on film (if you are brave soul, i commend thee) we assume that that imaging area is a sensor. I doubt you want to read the geekyness associated with imaging sensors on a lego page so i will skip all but the bare necessities. So we have a sensor and we have a lens to project your image onto it. from this point onwards 3 main things control the exposure that hits that sensor. Shutter Speed: How long the photo took to make Aperture: How wide the opening that allowed light into the camera was. ISO / ASA / Film speed: How sensitive the camera was. These things explain why your pictures may be blurry, dark, too bright, noisy, and how much is in focus. So Shutter speed, shutter speed affects both brightness, and motion. A fast shutter speed in a well lit space will freeze motion, catch that baseball tack sharp as it leaves the bat. Show shutter speeds will allow anything bright enough that moves to create a blur, the classic shots of the head and tail lights turning into trails on the freeway. http://www.flickr.com/photos/38285596@N02/10376545344/ Fast, freezes the plant. http://www.flickr.com/photos/38285596@N02/9737616662/ Slow, everything that moves turns to blur. How does this effect lego then? Lego doesn't move right... Hmm, we'll talk about that one later. Aperture, Aperture is the size the iris on your lens, or the hole is that lets light to the sensor. it is measured in a F stop. if your experiencing lenses with a T stop, your looking at movie lenses, and should't be having to read my explanations. The smaller that number, the bigger the hole and more light gets in, backwards I know... It affects again overall brightness, and it affects how much of the image is in focus, IE depth of field. This one is really important to lego, i notice it time and time again with people that shoot their lego on DSLRs. Because lego is so tiny what would be a large depth of field when taking a picture of your cat, now becomes tiny again, this is why only the front bumper of your truck is in proper focus. An example, of how just changing the aperture put the whole truck in focus. ISO / ASA / Film speed. This is that overlooked little setting on pretty much anything that takes a picture, my crappy nokia has it, my 35mm film camera has it... This controls how sensitive the camera or film is, and therefore controls how bright the exposure is, and has the side effect of controlling, grain, noise and dynamic range. A low ISO will give the cleanest shot, it will also effect how much difference in light levels your camera can see, google dymanic range to get geeky here. http://www.flickr.com/photos/38285596@N02/8543721454/ A shot with a high iso, showing how the image has become grainer, just as it would with film, it also has a little bit more digital noise. How does this one affect lego photos.... Its what lets you stop them being so horribly noisy! These three things all affect how bright the image is and must be successfully blended to create the shot. A slower shutter speed would allow a brighter frame so that you could use a smaller iso to get a more finely detailed shot, or so you could use a smaller F stop to get more of the photo in focus. In reverse, you might decide to use a really high iso and have noisier and grainer shots so you could freeze the action at a basketball game, or in my case freeze the dog before she ran off. And before we finish the geeky section another setting that all cameras have, White balance. This is why sometimes your photos look a bit blue or maybe look like the burning pits of a very orange hell. This tells your camera what white is supposed to be when being lit by whatever is lighting your shot, IE a lightbulb or the sun, we can sometimes see this color difference but most of the time our brain is set on very good automatic. For example normal tungsten lightbulbs are very orangey, so the camera sets its self a bit blue to compensate, when set incorrectly the camera gets things a little muddled, simple rule of thumb, set it to Auto, unless shooting videos or until something looks weird, at this point set the camera to the most appropriate setting. the reason for video being that the camera might decide to change halfway through your shot and all your colors go a bit weird. Now thats the geeky bit over with phew... So taking pictures of your creation first of all, Tom i'm sure has said much of this before, his shots are always perfectly lit and you know what your looking at, go look at his gallery and see how nicely its all lit. This sort of setup of camera on tripod and being well lit is perfect for showing the world what you built. My only tip here ontop of looking at Toms shots is to try to use a longer shutter speed as nothing is planning to move allowing you too use a deeper aperture, bigger F stop to get the whole thing in tack sharp focus. Where you position everything is really up to you, just try to not make it distracting, if backgrounds are distracting, just open up the aperture to blur it all out if you can. And be aware of shadows if using single light sources. But where i'm really interested is creative photos of lego, and of lego scenes. here all the rules for taking creative photos apply, but with a special twist of your protagonists being about an inch tall So... some examples of cool things to try, i use the examples to demonstrate my ideas, i'm not saying i actually took good shots here at all, its the idea that counts. Minifigure portraits. Taking these sort of shots really helps give a human quality to your lego world. try zooming in a long way to get a nice shallow look and creatively light the figure, be careful of glare of the plastic though, i often have trouble with this. Take note from seriously cool portraits on proper photography sites and try and get the same thing across, remember composition ideas here too, try to avoid dead centre shots unless its a specific look your going for. example (Up in the face with a fisheye). Slow Shutter Speeds. Slow shutters help you to add motion to your work, here i've got a police car that I shot in focus and then moved under the lights to give the idea of speeding to a call. The other is the spinning chopper blades, spin the blades and set of the shutter, job done. Wide angles. When you use wide lenses, or zoom out a long way most lenses suffer from whats called barrel distortion, where everything looks a bit bendy, it also exaggerates the spacial difference between items, this can lead to some very dramatic shots. Just remember to really get the effect you need really wide lenses, in the case of the quantum the shot was just way too big, so i cropped the truck out of the centre. At the extreme end fisheyes or a fisheye effect, either screwed onto your camera, or done in post in some very scary photo editing software. Firebuffing All about showing the department is alive. Just try to imagine being a journalist or fire buff on your scene and try to get the camera low and into the action, i often can't get as close or as low as I want, this is something i'm really working on. Shallow Depth of field. Using a bigger aperture, small f stop lets you make things shallower, if you on a dslr or decent compact this allows to isolate the thing your showing to the viewer, here in a crowded trauma room Bruce is introduced to someone, i only really want you to look at the things in focus, but i still want you to feel like your in the room, so i blurred it all out. Cool action shot lighting. I have no idea where the ideas for these sort of thing come from, just start messing around with a flashlight I Hope thats given you some ideas, I really love taking pictures of lego Don't be scared to take the camera out of auto and have some fun.


text:
BEA Abuzz About Project Beehive
BEA Systems boosted the service-oriented architecture buzz Wednesday when it unveiled "Project Beehive" as an open source foundation. BEA open sourced its development platform to make life easier for Java programmers; rival JBoss CEO Marc Fleury throws some stingers at the company.
The goal is to make it easier and more efficient to write applications and build service-oriented architectures (SOAs) using Java.
The move is designed to position Java development against companies that don't use the programming language, most notably Microsoft and its .NET platform. But while the move was praised by one industry analyst, main competitor JBoss was less charitable with comments about the project.
The Buzz on Beehive
Not to be confused with other open-source application server offerings like JBoss, Beehive is the donation of the San Jose, Calif. company's WebLogic Workshop application framework, a development environment for BEA's runtime software products, according to BEA CTO Scott Dietzen.
It is geared to make writing Java software more efficient, at a time when companies are struggling to craft Web services architectures for application-to-application communication and SOAs as more broad models of distributed computing.
During a conference call, Dietzen said the release is the industry's first open application framework and is targeted at SOA and Web Java application. Project Beehive is expected to be available this summer for free under an open-source license. All future development of the platform will be done in the open source community, he said. More than 50 component, tool, and platform vendors (including Borland, VERITAS and Red Hat) have pledged to support the initiative.
As if to prove BEA's altruistic merit, Dietzen said on the call that competing Java-based products from vendors such as IBM and Oracle will run on Workshop if developed using the framework.
"By outsourcing the application framework, applications built using that framework, whether they're built inside of the BEA Workshop IDE or any other IDE that supports this framework, those applications can run on WebLogic and non-WebLogic Java containers, so for both competing products, as well as open source offerings, we're providing portability for Workshop-based applications to those other containers."
In practical terms, where there used to be proprietary vendor lock-in for certain features and applications created in Workshop, the applications can now run on WebSphere, JBoss, and Tomcat, the last of which BEA has pledged to port to first with Beehive this summer.
Technically Speaking
After the call, Cornelius Willis, told internetnews.com that the move unknots a lot of the tedious code writing associated with Java, a language criticized by some as too difficult to program with, and for not being disposed to reusable assets.
Microsoft generally wins praise for the ease of use and reusability of components in the .NET environment. Now, BEA is hoping to bring similar degrees of efficiency to the drudgery of Java development.
Willis said Project Beehive leverages WebLogic Workshop's Controls, reusable meta-data driven software components based on drag-and-drop technology that can easily integrate into BEA and other software platforms.
"This is about making J2EE as easy to use as .NET," Willis said, noting that BEA hopes to make Workshop a comfortable environment where IBM and Oracle can not only work on application server development but "control the payload of the reusable parts that plug into the framework."
Willis, who worked on Microsoft's Visual Basic team from 1991 to 1995 and knows a bit about reusing assets, wants Beehive to be viewed as a liberating donation for Java development (including for competitors like IBM) as much as it is an attempt to curry more developer favor in place of Microsoft and its .NET platform.
Beehive also features Web services programming capabilities that allow for easier consumption and management of services, and page flows, which can help developers define and view page transitions between applications. It also comes with an open-sourced runtime environment, rather than a development environment to allow open IDEs like Eclipse to participate.
Beehive's Bittersweet Honey
Meta Group Senior Program Director Thomas Murphy praised the move.
"They need to get more noise going around Workshop and the frameworks and this will help get it out from being 'proprietary,' Murphy said. "They have some good concepts around Web services and programming model and this will allow a broader community to help evolve these which hopefully will make them things that can move into the Java Community Process and through to standards faster."
But JBoss CEO and Founder Marc Fleury, whose company makes a competing open-source application server, blasted the news. He noted that "clear open source is very powerful as a competitive weapon" and that "imitation is the sincerest form of flattery."
"I'd heard that rumor [that BEA was going to open source its IDE] long ago but I just think they are doing it for the wrong reasons," Fleury told internetnews.com. "Open source is not a silver bullet, not something that turns a dog into something great. There are a lot of misconceptions that if you put something in open source, it will be a winner. But I just think BEA is going to open source by default because they don't have a better strategy."
Dietzen responded: "I can't imagine how donating technology and making it available for JBoss customers as well as WebSphere, Tomcat, and other customers is harming to any Java vendors business. This should be helpful for the whole of the Java community."
Fleury also said Eclipse is already a sufficient IDE and that IBM was about the only successful company he could think of to take a proprietary technology and unleash it successfully into the open source community, as it did with Eclipse.
"BEA has been running around for two years looking for a competitive advantage in its platform and they figure if there is no value in it, then they might as well open source it to turn it into a winner," he said.
Fleury admitted he is irked by companies that use open source as a "dustbin" for failed proprietary projects.
"There isn't a week that goes by that somebody who is running out of money calls me for recommendations about how to go open source," he said. "It's not a silver bullet, it's not the promised land, and, in fact, it's more difficult. "I have serious reservations about how and why they're [BEA] doing it."
To be sure, BEA's Beehive news, coming just days before its eWorld conference in San Francisco, seems pointed at trumping negativity surrounding the company's sub par first quarter results, in which BEA missed its software license revenue target.
Revenue from software licenses dropped 2 percent to $120 million year-over-year, even though BEA reported total revenues of $262.6 million, up 11 percent from $237.3 million in last year's first quarter.
"We signed 17 license deals over $1 million dollars in Q1. While this is the most we've ever signed in a Q1, we are disappointed that we did not meet our license revenue plans, especially in the Americas," said Alfred Chuang, BEA's founder, chairman and CEO.
Still, analysts appear to be taking those numbers with a grain of salt. Meta's Murphy, for one, said Beehive provides pre-buzz for E-World and gets news out ahead of Microsoft's TechEd conference next week "because they know that Microsoft will announce lots of new stuff there."
Murphy also said Beehive helps BEA "put a stake in the ground as a driver in the Java market," a key stance in the enterprise software space.
This article was originally published on internetnews.com.


text:
I think I've lost my mojo. No, really. I am not joking; it's not funny. I have never been one to complain, and I know how to avoid/block/ignore pain. The longest I have ever been down with anything was 3 days, and that was the Kill-An-Elephant-and-Leave-It-There-To-Rot flu. It got JNerd, too. We were both very, very sick. I think that was February, before last. So...2009? But lately? I am just...sick.
I wrote about it before...how after I came home from blogher, I was dealing with migraines, on a daily basis. They had me down, for a month. No joke. They started 8/5, and I saw the doctor on 9/2. All the time I was waiting? Languishing in a darkened room like some demented character out of a gothic novel. Talk about the drama! I spent so many days flat on my back I could have paid for my mortgage had I been doing anything more remotely interesting. Instead?Ice pack at the base of my skull, cold, weighted eye mask over my face. I did a lot of listening to tv...it was all I could do.
And now, thanks to a god-send of a doctor, who saw me in the grips of a terrible migraine attack and immediately fixed it with a shot of Imitrex and then a prescription, my head is better, or at least on its way to becoming better. But. There were...complications. I won't go into my bathroom habits, cause that shit lives forever on the internet, but let's just say they're non-
existent. at this point. And not from ...lack of trying. And then, there are complications to that.
And while all that sucks, what's worse is that my cycle is all screwed up. I have had not ONE, not TWO, but THREE periods in the last TWO months. Yep, that's right. Three. The only good news is that proves I am not pregnant. But I am sick of my period, sick of feeling sick and ready to get off my freaking bed. And I just..can't. I am achy, tired, bleeding. Despite this all, I am trying to find the funny, you know, fkeep up my spirits.
I am failing miserably. I have spent the last month begging off of most things I am supposed to be doing. I have missed karate, eye appointments and countless other things I am supposed to attend. I missed a good friend's birthday party, blog events, and just, everything. My house is a disaster, my dog is a monster (She needs my attention and training, no one can handle her the way I do) and my kids are being raised by wolves. ENOUGH. I have an MRI sometime in the next week or so. To make sure I am not dying of a brain tumor (I'm not.) I called the doctor's office and was told that all of my labs: thyroid, hormones, were normal.. Well, that's just awesome, possum!
Then tell me why I don't feel normal?? I am OVER this. I have never been down this long, and I am having a hard time seeing around it to the light at the end of the tunnel. Which is probably a bus, anyway.
ANd that is why I have lost my mojo.posted from my iPad


text:
As you probably know, the U.S. stock market has been in the red zone over the last few weeks. International experts assume that this downtrend is likely to continue in the first quarter of 2019. The key reason is the fact that really huge volumes of risky assets are under the risk of forced sales, Market leader reports, with reference to Forbes.
The amount of political and economic crises keeps on growing in the world but gold is still going down in value. International experts have been trying to figure out the reasons why contemporary investors are investing in other assets instead of gold as it used to be ages. It's interesting to note that they are mostly investing in dollar assets.
The trade war between the United States and China is still underway. Earlier this month, America made another attempt to undermine the Chinese economy. The thing is, that up until recently, America used to be one of the biggest exporters of crude oil to China. In summer, the U.S. export of crude oil to China used to be equal to 10,5 million barrels a month. At this point, America has almost suspended the export of crude oil to China. Last month American oil companies shipped as little as 600K barrels, with no oil shipping planned for this month.
While skeptics armed with political axioms, and complicated math formulas, are trying to persuade the world that sooner or later, the cryptomarket industry is doomed to exhaust its potential at some point in the future, the cryptomarket itself is becoming a part of the global economy.


text:
Nationwide Wage Uniformity Part 2
Source: BLS Metropolitan Area Wage Estimates May 2008
(Occupation Codes: 25-2031, 43-5052, and 47-2061)
Thanks for the great response to last week's blog. Last week, we asked about pay comparability, and 23 percent of those polled voted that the goal for postal compensation should be to match the prevailing private sector compensation. However, 35 percent voted that Postal Service compensation should exceed private sector pay, and the largest group of voters (40 percent) said that Postal Service pay should be set at levels necessary to get good, qualified employees.


text:
As soon as the decorations come down on Twelfth Night it always seems to me that a previously homely house looks suddenly bare. It's just too depressing! So whilst I don't suggest we become strange Christmas people who never take down their tree and eat turkey 365 days of the year, I am going to wriggle free from the grip of superstition just a little by offering a few mildly rebellious ideas to enjoy the magical twinkle of fairy lights in your home, whatever the season. Will you join me?
{via we Heart It}
{Photograph: Leela Cyd}
{via PB Teen}
{Photograph: Jeska Hearne}
{Photograph: Michelle Halford}
I'm also considering rebranding my Christmas wreath as "winter wreath" to avoid taking it down… or perhaps that's a step to far?


text:
Kurt Nimmo
January 7, 2012
Get ready for theatrics as the globalist insider Chuck Hagel heads to Capitol Hill to face neocon Senate Republicans opposed to his nomination as Defense Secretary.
The former Nebraska senator is co-chair of Obama's Intelligence Advisory Board and is also a member of the Secretary of Defense's Policy Board. He heads up the globalist Atlantic Council.
The Rockefeller Brothers funded Atlantic Council works closely with the RAND Corporation, the Brookings Institution, American Enterprise Institute, the Trilateral Commission, and the Council on Foreign Relations to forge the establishment's foreign policy.
The Council is globalist from top to bottom. "The CFR is the American branch of a society which originated in England," writes the late Barry Goldwater. "Internationalist in viewpoint, the CFR, along with the Atlantic Union Movement and the Atlantic Council of the United States, believes national boundaries should be obliterated and one-world rule established."
It is a virtual who's-who of globalist insiders, including Zbigniew Brzezinski, Brent Scowcroft, Henry Kissinger and James Schlesinger. It features a number of neocons as well, including former CIA boss James Woolsey and Dov Zakheim, the Bush-era undersecretary for defense and financial officer who stepped down after trillions went missing at the Pentagon.
Hagel is portrayed as a "maverick" due to his opposition to the neocon foreign policy agenda, specifically the plan to attack Iran. The Brzezinski faction believes an attack on Iran would be "an act of utter irresponsibility" and "potentially a significant immorality."
Because of this opposition, Hagel is portrayed as a racist. "Send us Hagel and we will make sure every American knows he is an anti-Semite," said a nameless Republican Senate aide. "Hagel has made clear he believes in the existence of a nefarious Jewish lobby that secretly controls U.S. foreign policy. This is the worst kind of anti-Semitism there is." Neocons invariably resort to this sort of ad hominem attack when faced with criticism.
"Chuck Hagel, if confirmed to be the secretary of defense, would be the most antagonistic secretary of defense toward the state of Israel in our nation's history," Sen. Lindsey Graham, the South Carolina Republican and neocon fellow traveler said Sunday on CNN's State of the Union.
"Not only has he said you should directly negotiate with Iran, sanctions won't work, that Israel should directly negotiate with the Hamas organization – a terrorist group that lobs thousands of rockets into Israel – he also was one of 12 senators who refused to sign a letter to the European Union that Hezbollah should be designated as a terrorist organization."
Due to their knee-jerk reliance on the broken-down left-vs-right paradigm that dominates establishment politics, many Democrats and liberals are also opposed to a Hagel nomination.
According to David Greenberg, writing for the Democratic Leadership Council front publication The New Republic, Hagel's policy disagreements with the neocon faction have resulted in strong "conservative" Republican opposition to his nomination:
The real reason, or the main reason, is that despite approving the Iraq War authorization in 2002, Hagel later broke with Bush and the GOP on the thrust of their Middle East policy, including their continued hawkishness on the Iraq war, their hard line against Iran and Hamas, and their staunch support for Israel. Simply put, Hagel's stated positions on Iran, Israel, and other key issues deeply worry many Republicans. (They also trouble no small number of liberal Democrats, including me.)
The headline dominating theatrics surrounding Hagel's confirmation hearing represent little more than a miff over nuances in policy within the ranks of the ruling elite. Brzezinski's advisement on Iran reveals displeasure with the over-the-top neocon approach to the Middle East and the desire of elements within the ruling elite to minimize the destructive pro-Israel fanaticism entrenched in both the Republican and Democrat wings of the establishment political party.
Chuck Hagel and Obama are hardly saps for a demonized Iranian mullocracy and the Israeli supported "terror group" Hamas. Establishment Democrats and their Republican allies like Hagel prefer the diplomatic approach to undermining Iran and oppose a military attack on the country — and short of that imposing harsh sanctions — because of the political damage and reverberations an overly aggressive neocon policy will produce.
Obama's reelection was portrayed as the "new face of American policy in the Middle East that will relegate the aggressive policies of George W. Bush into the distant past," according to Matthew Duss of the Globe and Mail.
Neocons have roiled over the "vigorous diplomatic engagement and sanctions" route of dealing with Israel's regional enemies since they sent a letter to president Clinton in 1998 demanding the United States attack Iraq and take out former client (and CIA operative) Saddam Hussein.
Despite Hagel's apparent squeamish (according to the neocons) over punitive sanctions levied against the people of Iran, it should be remembered that Democrats and their president, Bill Clinton, were responsible for maintaining more than a decade of sanctions against Iraq – sanctions that resulted in the death more than 500,000 children.
The Emergency Election Sale is now live! Get 30% to 60% off our most popular products today!


text:
The 2015 Honda HR-S relies on a subcompact stage – for this case, the Honda Fit. The Fit itself is overhauled for 2015: marginally shorter, extra in depth and roomier, particularly for these within the again seats. The HR-S must amplify the Fit's enhancements with an included S inches of normal size, a taller trip tallness and a low tailgate opening that compasses greater than forty inches. The new hybrid will likewise fuse the Fit's inside half adaptability, with again seatbacks that crease even and seat pads that may overlay up from the ground. The traveler seat can moreover lay virtually stage, making a payload channel from the tailgate to the sprint.
The 2015 Honda HR-V will most likely impart the brand new Fit's M.H-liter 4-chamber motor, evaluated at one hundred thirty power and matched to a persistently variable transmission (CVT) driving the entrance wheels. A sportier, turbocharged adaptation must take after the launch of the usual mannequin. A crossover adaptation for the I.s. is conceivable if beginning HR-S offers are strong, as is an all-wheel-drive alternative.
The 2015 Honda HR-S will opening between the brand new Fit and the larger CR-S hybrid. At N inches shorter, M inch extra degree and about seven hundred kilos lighter than the CR-S, the HR-S ought to supply a particular determination for the people who want house for vacationers and equipment with out the household-sized CR-S foot formed impression. The 2015 Honda HR-S's measurement and within the playing cards all-wheel-drive various make it a primary contender towards different vigorous little hybrids just like the Nissan Juke, Subaru XV Crosstrek and even the Mazda CX-H.
The 2015 Honda HR-V must arrive late this fall or in promptly 2015. Inquire for a full audit of the 2015 Honda HR-S, together with specs, driving impressions and buying steering because it will get accessible.
You can learn different assessment equivalent to 2015 Honda Pilot.


text:
- Earn 14 points on this item as an MFI member!
Shop with Confidence at MFI
Free Returns
Price Match Guarantee
Dedicated Account Managers
Sales Tax Exemption
The Allied Healthcare Timeter Flowmeter Replacement Soft Touch Knob (6/Pack) (#34-92-0018) can replace or repair the broken or worn soft touch knobs for the gauges on Allied Healthcare Timeter Flowmeters.
Warranty: 90 Days.
Estimate shipping
About Us
MFI Medical Equipment is an award-winning, customer service oriented company dedicated to offering high-quality products at the best prices available. MFI continues to be a preferred trusted vendor to a range of hospitals, physicians, government entities, universities, individual patients, and all manner of customers. Our team is constantly expanding to bring our customers better service and more products to fit a range of needs. In addition to medical retail sales, MFI offers services including equipment calibration, repair, recycling, and more.


text:
With approximately 13,000 residents, Highland Creek in Northeast Charlotte is one of the largest master planned subdivisions in North Carolina. It spans both Mecklenburg County, Cabarrus County and also two cities - Charlotte and Concord. The community features an 18-hole golf course, five community swimming pools, 6 tennis courts, parks, playgrounds and walking trails.
The development centers around an 18-hole public golf course, The Highland Creek Golf Club, which includes a pro shop and restaurant. Five lakes throughout the course add nice water features for players and home owners. Highland Creek homes are bundled into several different villages and feature various architectural styles and builders. The community is bound however, by a plethora of on-going community activities, shared recreational facilities and schools.
University of North Carolina at Charlotte is just a few miles from Highland Creek, and many university employees, students and families live in the Highland Creek area. Lowe's Motor Speedway, which hosts two NASCAR races each year, is less than 5 miles away. Mega shopping and entertainment center, Concord Mills, is just 2 miles from Highland Creek. Uptown Charlotte is about a 30 minute drive South from Highland Creek.
Map and Points of Interest


text:
Economic and Workforce Development
Washington's higher education institutions benefit our state, regional, and local economies directly and indirectly:
- By providing an educated workforce.
- By addressing the continually changing educational needs of a dynamic society.
- Through basic and applied research that leads to the formation of new businesses and job expansion.
- Through collaboration with business and government.
For example, according to a 2010 report by the Washington Economic Development Commission, the University of Washington has a $9.1 billion total annual impact on Washington's economy, is the state's third largest employer, provides $618 million in tax support for state and local governments, and returns $1.48 to the state for every $1.00 invested.
An educated workforce is essential for a prosperous economy. The Washington Student Achievement Council collaborates with the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges and the Workforce Training and Education Coordinating Board to provide decision-makers with forecasts of demand for skilled and educated workers in the economy. This information can be used in making resource decisions aimed at meeting employer demand.
Every two years, the agencies produce an assessment that includes the number of forecasted net job openings at each level of higher education and training, and the number of credentials the education system needs to produce in order to match the job forecast.


text:
Published On : Sep 13, 2011
Image Copyright : Brabus
Brabus Rocket 800 2012
Based on the new Mercedes CLS generation, Brabus unveiled the Brabus Rocket 800 at the Frankfurt Auto Show. The Brabus Rocket powered by a V12 Biturbo engine that produces 800 hp of power and a humongous 1,420Nm of torque (though limited to 1,100 Nm in the car) for stability. The exclusively appointed Brabus Rocket 800, built to order starting at EUR 429,000, reaches a top speed in excess of 370 km/h (230 mph) and accelerates from 0 to 300 km/h (186 mph) in just 23.8 seconds.


text:
How to setup your agent activity
No matter if you have experience as an Agent, if you have an idea on how to acquire new Players – we want you to become our Partner!
As worldwide betting market leaders, PS3838 (former Pinnacle) is assuring to bring in new customers to your establishment and those customers will be mostly high-volume players. Regarding legal concerns, there should be no difficulties at all, as the bets are not played in your country, but in a country with all the needed regulations.
HOW TO INSTALL PS3838 (former Pinnacle) IN YOUR PROPERTY
The easiest way to set up Bookmaker in your establishment is to configure a few computers and hire an employee to:
It will be good if you can set up a few television screens showing sporting events along with a screen or projector displaying the odds from PS3838 (former Pinnacle). If you are already satisfied with such a system in one location (casino, betting shop, restaurant), we are also interested in working together with you to expand your operations in more locations. All betting accounts are opened in a "pyramid structure" under their Agent (you / your property) – the person who creates the accounts on location is responsible for this.
You as an Agent create the player accounts yourself. From that moment on, all players are and will remain your players forever! You do not have to forward any player data to the Bookmaker.
- All deposits and withdrawals are made through you, the players cannot deposit with the Bookmaker directly – once you receive the deposit from your player, you credit the gambling account manually.
- Players have to do all funding and withdrawals with your assistance in your property.
- All bets should be made by the players themselves!
- For smaller winnings and payouts, as the Owner of the Property, you must take responsibility for making the payouts.
For customers interested in a potential collaboration you must consider the invitation to our VIP-Club. If you decide to go for it or if you have any further questions, do not hesitate to contact us via Live Chat on our website, via Skype( ID: help.bet-ibc) and e-mail: firstname.lastname@example.com. I will be happy to assist you with any further questions, requests or suggestions.


text:
Sanjeev Kapoor (born April 10, 1964) is a Indian Chef and television personality. He is best known as the author of numerous Indian style cookbooks and the host of Khana Khazana, a popular cookery program shown on the Zee television network since 1993. The show completed over 650 episodes as of February, 2007.
His television show won the Best Cookery Show Award given by the Indian Television Academy (ITA) in 2001. He was also the recipient of the Best Executive Chef of World Award by H & FS and the Mercury Gold Award at Geneva, Switzerland by IFCA. Singapore Airlines recruited him as one of the members of its "International Culinary Panel", helping to create a meal called Shahi Thali in 2006.
With thousands of trusted, authentic and KP community tested, Beef Recipes submitted by home, professional and celebrity cooks across the world - you're sure to find a favorite recipe from our collection. Our recipe section is expanding every week, so visit us often. We welcome your contributions, please upload via myKP or email us with your favorite recipes, and we will post them up to share with others.
Food Glossary |
Contact US |
Shipping & Returns |
Copyright |
Terms Of Use |
Privacy Policy
Grocery Shop USA |
Spices |
Wholesale Grocery |
myHenna USA |
VedicPro USA |
mySnacks USA |
Saloni.PK |
Copyright © 2020 Direct Advert Media LLC an website design firm | All Rights Reserved


text:
Manage subscriptions
January 1st, 2001 | Comments Off on Manage subscriptions
You can follow the discussion on An Agonizing Decision without having to leave a comment. Just enter your email address in the form here below and you're all set.
Comments are closed.
Recent Comments
- Basic and Stretch Financial Goals for Graduate School - Personal Finance for PhDs on Reader Request: Credit Scores and Credit Reports
"[…] your credit: Everyone should practice the basic financial hygiene of m…"
- Westcoaster on About Us
"totally agree. Common african scam. the money will appear in the account but not…"
- How Do I Calculate and Report My Taxable Income? - Personal Finance for PhDs on What Is a Courtesy Letter and Does It Mean I Don't Have to Pay Taxes?
"[…] on a 1099-MISC in box 3. If you did not have taxes withheld from your …"
- Why I Didn't Pay Down My Student Loans During Grad School - Personal Finance for PhDs on What We Learned from Our Short-Term Investment Experiment
"[…] wasting about a year waffling over our choices, we ultimately decided …"
- How to Put Your New Postdoc Salary in Context - Personal Finance for PhDs on An Agonizing Decision
"[…] Further reading: An Agonizing Decision […]…"
- How to Price a Room for Rent 116,996 views
- Who Has Seen You Financially Nude? 61,022 views
- Earned Income: The Bane of the Graduate Student's Roth IRA 50,749 views
- Manage Subscriptions to Comments 43,949 views
- Why I Took Out a Car Loan for More Than the Purchase Price of the Car 36,073 views
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | © 2020 Evolving Personal Finance


text:
Amid Probe, Chinese Moguls Vanish
Prominent Executives are Being Detained, Associates Say, in Sign of New Round of Political Infighting
CHENGDU, China—When the government of this southwestern city needed a landmark for a new district, billionaire developer Deng Hong picked up the land cheap five years ago and erected a building almost three times the size of the Pentagon. Nearby, Wu Bing paved a motorway, while Liu Han put up schools. He Yan wired a jail with information technology and Wang Junlin's winery funded government charities.
Now, over the past several months, all of those tycoons have disappeared from view. Their absences come amid an alleged corruption...
To Read the Full Story


text:
ROCHESTER -- The congregation of Grace Baptist Church in East Rochester is happy and excited to announce the addition of Rev. R. L. Morgan as pastor. Morgan and his wife have moved from Plymouth, MA to East Rochester, and he has begun his duties.
Morgan brings many gifts to the ministry of Grace Baptist Church and the greater Rochester community, including deep spiritual leadership, organizational and administrative skills, as well as genuine compassion and vision for the coming years.
Morgan has over 27 years of ministry experience. In May of 1979 he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour under the ministry of Dr. Tom Ward, New England Baptist College, West Bridgewater, MA. He graduated in May, 1984, from Boston Baptist College, Milton, MA, Pastoral Major, Pastoral Theology - Honors conferred. He surrendered to God's call to fulltime ministry and was ordained under Ward's leadership.
Since his ordination, he has served the Lord as Pulpit Supply, Interim Pastor, Assistant Pastor, and as Senior Pastor in several different Baptist churches in the MA area.
Morgan and his wife Katie, of 40 years, have lived in the Easton and Brockton areas. They have three children and seven grandchildren.
Grace Baptist Church is located at 23 Main Street in East Rochester. The church has a long history in this area having celebrated its 145th anniversary in 2011. Everyone in East Rochester and the surrounding area are invited to come worship and fellowship with Morgan and the congregation of Grace Baptist Church.


text:
The memoir is called "Little Failure." The title is based on an English-Russian mashup expression ("failure" plus a Russian diminutive) invented by his mother.
"I love the way [my parents] play with language," says Shteyngart. "Even when it's a little bit hurtful."
Hurtful goes both ways in Shteyngart's family. "Little Failure" won't be a comfortable read for his parents. It's full of fraught family moments—and worse. The memoir also delves into the past, documenting the terrible suffering of some Shteyngart's grandparents and great-grandparents.
And although his parents do have a copy of the book, Shteyngart says their English isn't great, so they may wait till the Russian translation comes out.
Shteyngart has previously written three novels, "The Russian Debutante's Handbook," "Absurdistan" and "Super Sad True Love Story." The memoir reads like a novel—gripping narratives, expertly-etched characters, telling details.
When Shteyngart was seven, his family moved from the Soviet Union to the United States. Like many Soviet Jews they'd been trying to leave for years to escape anti-Semitism. But Soviet authorities blocked the immigration of many Jews until they could strike a deal with the United States. It was 1979. The Russians needed grain—their harvest had failed. So they allowed Jews to leave in exchange for American grain.
So the family became "Grain Jews."
"I was worth maybe 300 loaves and a croissant or something," says Shteyngart. "I don't know who got the better deal."
The family settled in New York, where Gary was sent to Hebrew school. He didn't bother too much with learning Hebrew. He was more interested in picking up English from TV shows like "Gilligan's Island" and "The Six Million Dollar Man."
At the dinner table, though, the family spoke only in Russian, for which Shteyngart is grateful now.
"Retaining Russian meant retaining all those memories," he says. "Whenever I write, it's in English but there's always a Russian soundtrack in the back."
It took Shteyngart about seven years to lose his Russian accent: "Lots of practice in front of a mirror."
He would repeat words he couldn't pronounce, trying to "get rid of a bunch of consonants to get English right."
One such word: attic. The family had moved to an apartment with an attic and Shteyngart was anxious to master this expression. But one of those pesky extra consonants came back to bite him. He pronounced it addict, as in: "We have a new apartment with an addict."
Shteyngart recently became a father for the first time. He's relieved that his son wasn't born into the kind of calamitous world experienced by previous generations of Shteyngarts.
"The Yiddish word is tsuris—troubles," he says. "I don't know what the future is going to hold. I mean pretty soon, Manhattan might be underwater, so I hope this kid learns how to swim real good. But there is a feeling that…he's growing up in relatively wonderful circumstances."


text:
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Rick Perry brags that Texas has created more than 1 million jobs during his 10 years as governor, trumpeting the state's hands-off regulatory climate and business-first policies. But another part of his jobs agenda, the part that promotes investing state money in private companies, is drawing new criticism as he runs for the Republican presidential nomination.
Rival Michele Bachmann recently likened one of the deals subsidized by the Texas Enterprise Fund to Solyndra, the California energy company that went bust after receiving a $528 million loan from the federal stimulus program.
Perry's state fund "gave $35 million and a grant to a private company and there were donors in that private company," Bachmann said, referring to Perry campaign contributors. Though the company promised to create jobs, "they didn't create any," she said.
The criticism lays bare a larger battle among conservatives about whether the government should let the free market reign or use public money to boost jobs. More specifically, the deal Bachmann attacked illustrates the murky complexities of private ventures that not only involve risk but also donations to political campaigns.
Perry spokesman Mark Miner declined to discuss the deal in question, which was with a precursor to Lexicon Pharmaceuticals. What matters, he said, is that overall "the fund has created more than 59,000 jobs and capital investment of more than $14.7 billion." Bachmann, he said, was "just throwing garbage at the wall to see if it will stick."
From the first grant announcement in June 2003 through August 2011, the fund had distributed more than $439.5 million to 89 firms — from giants like 3M Co. and Home Depot Inc. to a Houston company called Alloy Polymers, which promised to create 52 jobs.
The firms have indeed pledged to create a total of 59,000 jobs, but it's unclear how many have so far met their targets. The state says figures for this year are unavailable. Lucy Nashed, a spokeswoman for the governor's office, said 30,749 jobs had been created by the end of 2010.
Perry's previous political opponents have alleged that Texas Enterprise Fund deals are part of a culture of "crony capitalism," funneling taxpayer dollars to politically connected firms with little guarantee that jobs get created. The charge has never gained much traction in Perry's races in Texas, but his presidential rivals hope it will have an impact on voters elsewhere.
Perry says the fund, created in 2003, has been a powerful deal-closer for businesses looking to expand. Texas House Speaker Joe Straus and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, fellow Republicans, also sign off on grants, but the governor's office oversees cutting individual deals and distributing money. All firms who fail to meet jobs targets are supposed to pay penalties.
The company Bachmann was referring to, Lexicon Genetics, received $35 million in 2005 to produce two copies of an embryonic stem cell library created from a genetically modified mouse and to deliver them to the Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine. It pledged to create 1,662 jobs by the end of 2011, but its workforce of more than 600 has fallen to 290 today — with 70 of them based in New Jersey, not Texas.
Alice Stewart, a Bachmann spokeswoman, said the Lexicon deal shows "once again, Gov. Perry agrees with President Obama."
"The governor admits that he supports the same failed stimulus policies as the president," she said.
Lexicon spokesman Wade Walke said that since 2005, the company has made a strategic shift away from labor-intensive research and development; hence, the job cuts.
"We basically went from a company that was based in research development to a company focused on drug development," Walke said. He said the original contract called for Lexicon to reimburse Texas $14.2 million if it didn't fulfill the promised job allotment by the end of 2011.
But the firm renegotiated in 2008 to push back the job deadline to at least 2016. Nashed said firms that don't meet their job targets are required to pay penalties before they can renegotiate the terms. Lexicon kept the $14.2 million and was allowed to renegotiate its contract after paying $16,000 in penalties.
The new agreement also shifted most of the responsibility for creating jobs between 2007 and 2011 to the Texas A&M University System, which is absorbing the nonprofit Texas Institute for Genomic Medicine.
Jason Cook, a spokesman for the system, said the renegotiated contract would create more jobs in the state's biotech sector overall.
Questions about the Lexicon deal were raised by Bill White, the Democrat Perry defeated in the 2010 race for his third full term as governor. White's campaign said the award was an example of "pay-to-play" since Lexicon's top investors in 2005 — Bob McNair, William McMinn and Gordon Cain — were all large donors to Perry's campaign that year. According to White's campaign, the three owned about 16.5 percent of the company and donated nearly $325,000 to Perry around the time Lexicon received the funding.
Republican Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison also tried to make the fund an issue in her primary election challenge to Perry last year.
Miner defended the fund, saying that "because of the policies of the governor and Legislature, Texas continues to be a destination for companies wanting to relocate, expand and create jobs."
Debra Medina, who was a tea party candidate for the Texas governorship in 2010, said that "whether one company or another went gangbusters after getting this money isn't really the issue."
"It's about the government picking winners and losers with taxpayer dollars," she said.
Bills this past session in the Texas Legislature sought to terminate the fund or at least shift control away from the governor's office — but neither was approved.
Bachmann: Perry used jobs fund to reward backers
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — Rick Perry brags that Texas has created more than 1 million jobs during his 10 years as governor, trumpeting the state's hands-off regulatory climate and business-first policies. But another part of his jobs agenda, the part that promotes investing state money in private companies, is drawing new criticism as he runs for the Republican presidential nomination.


text:
PT IR Illuminator kit A
Discontinued product.
Tailor made infrared illuminator kit for AXIS Q87 series. Contains one 50 degree and one 10 degree illuminator, which together cover the field of view of the camera when zoomed in or out. Approximate range: 100 meters. Also includes IR mount brackets for the positioning unit.


text:
In the recent article, "Attorney's career leads to Guantanamo," Attorney Carlos Warner asserts that he will represent his client as his own and in the same sentence reveals he is also working to shut down the doors of Guantanamo. Mr. Warner says he can't release any details of the case -- just before he releases details of the lovely letters he received from his client. He compliments his detainee's "jovial personality," language skills and his knowledge of the U.S. Is he suggesting to the readers that this detainee with ties to Bin Laden is just "one of the guys"? Nothing to see here no big deal?
I can't tell you how furious I was when I read, and I quote, "some Hudsonites do not understand that Guantanamo is still open." How insulting. Believe me, Mr. Warner, as the mother of a U.S. Army tank commander who has served over three yearlong tours in Iraq, I am very well aware that Guantanamo is still open and thank God that it is. People in Hudson can sleep at night because the terrorists are not in our back yards.
Let me be clear. The men detained at Guantanamo are not there because we are prejudiced or intolerant.
I support the idea that Mr. Warner has to represent his client fairly and without prejudice. It is the American way. What I object to is that this case is being used to promote the political ideology of the Washington elite. We Washington outsiders know your client is not just a jovial, misunderstood, gentlemen Islamist.
Please, Mr. Warner, before you make an assumption about Hudsonites, and what we understand about Guantanamo, maybe you should talk to one of our military families. I would be happy to introduce you to them.
Kathy Jenson,


text:
Zip19 Loans Payday Loans fast and easy process to receive your $1,000 or greater cash loans. We provide electric short term cash progress loans for any pretty emergency. Start online for cash advances of acceptable $1,000 and consume cash as directly as tomorrow.
Unexpected emergency circumstances usually are mainly the reason a lot of folks might get a payday cash advance. While using the availability of rapid money payday loans, the particular applicant could be easily given as well as mortgage about the identical evening, therefore finding the likelihood associated with dealing with the specific urgent situation instantly.
When you have money problems, We can help you with Loans from $100 to $1,000 depending on your state of residence. We are the best resource for quick cash loans, We take customer privacy seriously, so you can be confident that all information disclosed on the form is 100% secure. The application process does not usually require a credit check and everything is done online
Complete "Zip19 Loans " secure online payday loan Application form. Upon approval we'll send you to the lender's page where you'll e Sign (no faxing!) your name and agree to their repayment terms.Cash is automatically deposited in to your account!
Zip19 Loans – Zip19-loans.com $1,000 Fast Cash Loans – Safe, Secure, & Confidential, No hassle. Easy Approval. Start Now!


text:
Square Offers Flat Monthly Fee for Processing Credit Cards
If there's one thing that businesses like in their costs, it's predictability. When there's a bill to pay every month, it's easier to plan around it when you know exactly what it's going to be.
Charges associated with accepting credit cards have always been variable: A heavier month costs more in processing fees than a slower one, and that's just the way it is.
Square, the mobile payments start-up founded by Twitter inventor Jack Dorsey, is aiming to address that. Today it announced that it is offering its small-business customers a flat monthly fee of $275 to accept payments. The monthly fee is an option to its original plan, under which merchants would pay a fee amounting to 2.75 percent of the charge amount.
Opt for the monthly fee option and there are no fees beyond that, Square COO Keith Rabois told AllThingsD.
Now, there are limits. The option is available only to small businesses, which Square defines as outfits that process less than $250,000 in payments per year. But as with any all-you-can-eat type of arrangement, the more of the service you consume, the lower your cost basis. If you're swiping $250,000 worth of payments, you end up paying an effective rate of 1.32 percent, which works out to less than half of the cost of the original plan.
It's also a lot lower than the 3 percent to 4 percent that typical small businesses tend to pay because they're small and don't have the heft to negotiate for lower fees with the big payment-processing houses. Then, Rabois says, there's another 26 million businesses that don't accept credit cards at all.
It's just another example of how this start-up is aiming to challenge the conventional thinking of the payments business. No one would have guessed that regular people would want to carry a thumbnail-sized credit card reader around for settling up a restaurant check with friends. And last
week year, Square announced a deal that lets businesses accept payments from Square users by name, without even having to dig their phones out of their pockets. And last week Square and Starbucks announced that the global coffee chain will use its Pay by Square mobile app will beginning this fall; it has also invested in Square, and Starbucks CEO Howard Schultz has joined Square's board.


text:
Camo : Flip Flop Shoes
Go for these sporty, Beige/Olive Flip Flop shoes that come from the fashion house of Seven.
Technology/Material used for the shoes is and material used in the sole of the shoes is EVA which gives you a best comfort.
What's make it special : For an unmatched support and comfort on and off the field, coushining effect & flexibility
You can team these shoes with sportswear of your liking.


text:
When markets and people from all over the world choose Germany for their meetings and when new products are launched and successful ventures get off the ground at German trade fairs, conferences and conventions, it's good news for the environment. Germany's easily accessible venues, eco-friendly transport and sustainably run congress centres and hotels are good enough reasons for planning exhibitions and conventions in Germany. This is a country whose hallmarks are innovation, sustainability and environmental awareness – and it offers business travellers unparalleled benefits.
With 17 international airports, high-quality roads and extremely well-synchronised rail connections, just getting to Germany is a pleasure. Sparing use of resources, innovative energy concepts and a focus on seasonal and regional products to create food that is always healthy and delicious are standard in many convention centres and hotels. Outstanding transport connections to urban centres mean that nights out are easily arranged. Germany's vibrant cities with their bars, restaurants and cafés, entertainment and packed calendar of events make for lasting memories – a different aspect of sustainability.
Making a conference eco-friendly is very easy – our ten top tips, the Guidelines for the Sustainable Organisation of Events, video and CO2 calculator tell you how. Best of all, green meetings generally also save you money.
Click on the link below for further detailed information about sustainability in the MICE sector:


text:
...so we can begin again.
On Letting Go
...so we can begin again.
59 comments:
- Abby said...
It's amazing how hard it is to let go, and how afraid we are to let go, but how free we will become afterwards.
Hot air balloons make me think of "Up"! Love that movie.
- July 9, 2010 at 9:32 AM
- Andrea said...
What an absolutely FABULOUS post! By far my favorite of the week. Beautiful images, tons of inspiration, and a great message! Bravo darling!
- July 9, 2010 at 9:36 AM
- Same Sweet Girl: Memoir of a Southern Belle said...
You always have such lovely pictures!!!! Love all of these! :)
- July 9, 2010 at 9:48 AM
- Diana Mieczan said...
Awww so magical:) I needed this after a long week....Thank you sweetie and wish you a wonderful Friday:)
- July 9, 2010 at 9:55 AM
- Mrs. Blimes said...
These images seriously floor me! They are so inspiring and beautiful! thank you so much for sharing!
- July 9, 2010 at 9:59 AM
- ~*~ saskia ~*~ said...
Oh my goodness, your gorgeous post is one of the pretties I've ever seen. Every single image is beautiful! 'The quotes are all great, sigh, ADORABLE!
Sending warm wishes your way for a pretty sunny Friday. xxx
- July 9, 2010 at 10:35 AM
- Valerie said...
This is such an incredible concept. It's so hard to let things go, but we're only hurting ourselves by holding onto them. I'm going to work on this one! Thanks for the inspiration. Have a fabulous weekend!
- July 9, 2010 at 10:36 AM
- Anna Walker said...
Uhmmmm are you okay? And I have heard of this thing, where you put a piece of folded up paper in a balloon, blow it up, tie it on a string, and just let it go, and float away...it sounds nice :)
- July 9, 2010 at 10:36 AM
- Marcie said...
Ok, I know it is early, but this is my favorite post of the day! I've been wanting to do a post on balloons lately, and this one is beautiful.
We all have things to let go. Your post has inspired me to write these on a balloon and let it go!
xo Marcie
- July 9, 2010 at 10:54 AM
This is the post I need. Thank you for sharing this. Brenton in going to California to pursue his career, and it's so hard for me to let go. :(
- July 9, 2010 at 11:10 AM
- A Casa da Vá said...
And that is what I call a POWERFUL post... I am speechless... getting divorced 3 years ago was the best 'let it go' experience and opened up so much good in my life and it was "quite a process" but an amazing one. Thank you for the beauty of your posts!
- July 9, 2010 at 11:12 AM
- photohogger said...
Beautiful images of letting go :) even though it can be a hard thing.
Great post, as always.
Have a great weekend!!!!
- July 9, 2010 at 11:25 AM
Gorgeous images and a wonderful message. It is hard to let go sometimes but it is also such a important for healing no matter what the situation. xo
- July 9, 2010 at 11:28 AM
- Bumpkin on a Swing said...
Trish will too, I'm sending a link to her for when she gets back!
- July 9, 2010 at 12:32 PM
- THE ALTERNATIVE WIFE said...
Oh this is so true. What a beautiful post.
Hope you had a wonderful week and that you had a great weekend on tap. I'm just getting back into the swing of things after vacation. Thanks so much for stopping by all week while I was away :)
- July 9, 2010 at 12:53 PM
- Leah said...
Such a happy and "uplifting" post! Love these images!
Happy weekend hun!
- July 9, 2010 at 4:06 PM
- Kimmy said...
I honestly believe some things are so familiar you do have a fear of them no longer being there and therefore you are fearful of moving on and as you said, "Letting go."
But in order for us to grow and become who God would have us to become, sometimes we must do just that.
It is like Eleanor Roosevelt said many decades ago:
"You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
Have a lovely weekend and thank you for giving me something to think about this week, cheers!
- July 9, 2010 at 4:30 PM
- this free bird said...
This is so true and so timely. Reading my mind for sure.
Thanks so much. Hope you have a great weekend! Posted the blog award you gave me and linked back to you as well :)
ps-nice little cooking giveaway coming up within the next week or so. totally want you to enter!!
- July 9, 2010 at 5:05 PM
- BridalHood said...
Wow, this one spoke to me today! I might be stealing some of your images next week - I'm writing all about "letting go"
- July 9, 2010 at 5:48 PM
- BridalHood said...
Wow, this one spoke to me today! I might be stealing some of your images next week - I'm writing all about "letting go"
- July 9, 2010 at 5:48 PM
- Jess said...
Where do you find such amazing pictures? This is one of the most beautiful posts I have seen in a while! I think letting go is so important and you have summed it up in such a fantastic way.
- July 9, 2010 at 6:32 PM
- I Love Pretty Little Things said...
Hello! I love your post. I am smack-dab in the middle of a major Let-Go right now. This was a great reminder for me that it is good sometime to let go. Thank you!
My Friday Pretties does get refreshed every week. There are several people who told me that they wnat to be in every Friday. Usually I go through and take the blogs out that haven't requested to stay in. I was super lazy this week. So, I am sorry! My fault. I was busy letting go...Ha ha
I will take your link off. Thanks for letting me know. Hope you come back soon. :)
Have a wonderful weekend!
- July 9, 2010 at 7:17 PM
- Jennifer said...
This is one of my favourite posts you've ever done!
I am letting go, and this was beautiful inspiration. :)
- July 9, 2010 at 7:50 PM
- Rosie said...
such wise words for one so young...yes, and the relief can be so healing...for me, almost instantaneous, This so important for us all to remember...thank you
great "snappies"... as always...you my dear have a great gift...what is your occupation?
Hope you enjoy this weekend to it's fullest...keep smiling Rosie
- July 9, 2010 at 11:14 PM
- Hazel from Hazel Loves Design said...
What a gorgeous collection of photos, and a great concept of letting go... sometimes if we could let go of certain emotions easier (anger, frustration etc) our lives would be less complex!! :) Hazel
- July 9, 2010 at 11:48 PM
- Rosie said...
Oh, your blog is "glamorous" in my eyes...one never knows who will peek at it...sweet dreams...Rosie
- July 10, 2010 at 12:00 AM
- Melissa Blake said...
This post is truly beautiful!!! Letting go is something I'm constantly struggling with, but this post helped me, so THANK YOU!
- July 10, 2010 at 6:12 AM
- Unknown said...
What a great post...the words, the wisdom and the lovely images all together, so amazing!
- July 10, 2010 at 6:26 AM
- Traveling Distances said...
I love this post! The symbols of the balloons - letting go and freedom - it's difficult but a great feeling to have. The photos are lovely as well.
- July 10, 2010 at 8:10 AM
- Julie Leah said...
I love everything about this post!!
It's making me quite HAPPY!!
- July 10, 2010 at 8:29 AM
- Jen said...
I always smile at the sight of balloons.... doesn't everyone?? ;-)
Happy Weekend Sweetie!! xo
- July 10, 2010 at 9:25 AM
- Bela said...
W-O-W...simply A-D-O-R-E this post!
The message through it is amazing! Thanks Poppies and Sunshine!!!
Huge hug!! Bela.
- July 10, 2010 at 10:52 AM
oh my goodness...
such a sweet post. i couldn't agree more with the quotes imbedded in some of the images you gathered here. and there is no greater feeling of letting go of things that can sometimes take over your life. you gotta let go and live, be free as balloons and the air we breathe.
{thanks so much for considering my blog, your comment and now following. i am following you back. looking forward to hearing from you again}
happy weekend to you.
ox ^-^
- July 10, 2010 at 12:35 PM
- M.A said...
That's a very powerful lesson, one we all have to learn in our life time.
- July 10, 2010 at 2:26 PM
- georgia ~ gi gi said...
Oh Poppie, hearts, rainbows and balloons!
Such a beautiful post! Great qoutes and great words to love by! I was going to type words to live by, but love came out, he he! Thought I better leave it, or maybe let it go, oh so confused, ha ha! Ok, I am going to stop now! I will leave you my friend with a qoute!
"Learn the past, watch the present, and create the future."
Big Smooch!
Gi Gi
- July 10, 2010 at 8:37 PM
- June said...
Sometimes it's hard to do...but a must for a happy life! Let it go and something better will come.
Such a beautiful post!
- July 10, 2010 at 9:16 PM
- Simone - honeyandfizz said...
Wonderful images! I had just put together a post on balloons, will have to save it for a later date! :) Thanks for stopping by my blog the other day and for your lovely comments. It led me here and your blog is fab x
- July 11, 2010 at 3:38 AM
- iheartsunnydays said...
Beautiful post :) Thank you for your visit and lovely comments. Enjoy your weekend.
- July 11, 2010 at 4:07 AM
- Chic Mother and Baby said...
This is an absolutely beautiful post, there are tears in my eyes ... its been one year and im still trying to let go and battling severe depression :(
- July 11, 2010 at 4:28 AM
- Cornflakes and Honey said...
What wonderful words. So often we don't let go of the little things and see the bigger picture.
An amazing selection of truly beautiful images. I absolutely love balloons and there are some stunners here!
Hope you've had a great weekend!
- July 11, 2010 at 4:32 AM
- Unknown said...
Love these pics :-)
- July 11, 2010 at 4:58 AM
Your comment on my post made my eyes teary while my lips folded in a smile. I love the feeling of knowing a lovely stranger cares. Thank you.
Have a great Sunday.
- July 11, 2010 at 6:19 AM
- Jennifer Beaudet said...
I love your post! It's so true. I'm glad you found my blog so I could find yours! Jennifer:)
- July 11, 2010 at 8:29 AM
- Unknown said...
My English is not good enough to comment on your profound thoughts...but be sure I read every one of your posts.
I love your blog...so I nominated you for the sweet award. Please,visit my blog and take it
Thanks for everyday inspiration of all kind :)
- July 11, 2010 at 11:14 AM
- Cool Gal said...
What a fabulous post. So true.
- July 11, 2010 at 6:51 PM
- Rosie said...
....love Rosie........
- July 11, 2010 at 11:34 PM
- Joyti said...
Those are all so lovely! I love the film-like vintage look of them.
I saw a bunch of colorful balloons in the sky the other day...but by the time I grabbed my camera they had floated away...
- July 12, 2010 at 1:05 AM
- Unknown said...
Wow what a great post and such amazing photos !
Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving your lovely comment .
- July 12, 2010 at 1:12 AM
- shopgirl said...
Awesome, Awesome Post!
I am who I am because of my past and I honour it.
- July 12, 2010 at 1:25 AM
- Annie said...
This is SUCH a great post. I love it so much. Thank you - I needed this reminder very much!
- July 12, 2010 at 12:53 PM
- SabinePsynopsis said...
Beautiful pictures. We just remembered a friend who died last years with lots of balloons... It was a beautiful ritual and perhaps it was part of letting go. xo
- July 12, 2010 at 2:28 PM
- Unknown said...
seriously exquisite photos and a well-made point to boot. LOVE this post!
- July 12, 2010 at 4:06 PM
- Coryanne Ettiene | Kitchen Living with Coryanne said...
wow, I am without words, what a stunning post. I am a wee bit scared of balloons (I know, strange but true) but somehow this post, these images relaxed me...my shoulders are soft and round, and I have a calm smile on my face..I love the lighting of the pictures & the message you are sending ...thank you for todays post.
- July 12, 2010 at 8:33 PM
- JMay said...
Awesome post & even more awesome pictures :-)
- July 13, 2010 at 1:50 AM
- Amanda said...
A lovely post with some gorgeous images - my favourite is the one of the two people on the beach...
- July 13, 2010 at 4:08 AM
- melifaif said...
This post spoke directly to me today. Love.
- July 14, 2010 at 9:19 AM
- Lana {lanalou style} said...
Beautiful post and of course the balloon images are just fab! Thanks for the visit :)
- July 15, 2010 at 1:18 AM
- Sara said...
What an inspirational post! And absolutely beautiful images and quotes. My favoutite one is the one of the room filled with white and yellow balloons - awesome photo!
- July 16, 2010 at 3:48 PM
- Simply Beautiful World said...
Oh my gosh I love this!!! I wish I had seen this before I did a post on balloons. There are some pics I totally would have used! Great post!
- July 17, 2010 at 11:00 AM


text:
Hey everyone! Believe it or not this blog is not to tell you that I have been failing in my training, or even slacking off. I have kept to my half-marathon training schedule and should be rocking and rolling in Seattle on June 25th! It's very exciting, but for some reason it seemed a little bit less tedious to train last year. Maybe because running was so new to me and now I'm some kind of one-half-marathon veteran? Perhaps as Dr.Phil would say, "This aint my first Rodeo". Either way, I'm sure I'll get that exciting running bug soon.
I have been following a strict diet and doing a ton of strength and cross-training and have lost 22 pounds since February. This has cut my miles down to about 10 minutes or so. If you know me – the former slowest runner in history – you would be amazed. It's like my body wont LET me run really slowly anymore. I ran 6 miles the other day in a just a little over an hour. Go me!
On another note, I think we should all reflect on how fun short races are! 5ks, 10ks, etc. They are a great opportunity to build your speed, improve your time, make new friends, and hang yet another race shirt in your closet. Might I suggest a fantastic race in my area?
City Blast 5k/10k is a race put on by Puyallup Foursquare Church on July 4th, 2011. Can you think of a better day to take on an easy-breezy and fun race than on the Fourth of July? I know! Me neither! There are a ton of cool activities after the race, not to mention it gives you a reason to check out beautiful little Puyallup (for something other than that thing that clogs up traffic for two weeks in September). The proceeds benefit the Strong Kids Campaign of the YMCA. Don't want to run but love to hear about other folks running? Well, help to sponsor the gathering! I will be running in the race and I hope I will see you there!
I promise to get better about updating the blog…. and you folks get better about letting me know what is going on on YOUR race schedule!


text:
Office 2006 Small Business Management Edition$359.99
You Save: 47%
Close Recently added item(s)
You have no items in your shopping cart.
Mon-Thurs 8am-5pm MDT
Friday 8am-4pm MDT
You Save: 47%
Currently Shopping by
Shopping Options
SoftwareMedia provides discount software to businesses & consumers and carries over 80 top software brands.
We offer a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you have questions our knowledgeable staff can help find the best software solution for you.


text:
Entries in the Catalog of original descriptions:
Distinguishing features: Specimens which cannot be assigned to established species
Geological Range:
Last occurrence (top): within (-Ma, top in "Holocene" stage). Data source:
First occurrence (base): within (-Ma, base in stage). Data source:
Plot of occurrence data:
Dec 2017 - Plotting of Neptune data has been re-enabled on the Mesozoic pages following revision of the age-models in Neptune. The data is, however, still very sparse for the Early Cretaceous
Ventilabrella sp. compiled by the pforams@mikrotax project team viewed: 30-9-2020
Short stable page link: http://mikrotax.org/pforams/index.php?id=110570 Go to Archive.is to create a permanent copy of this page - citation notes


text:
Skills for Success Web Series **Limited to Houston Area
This course will help you master the communication skills necessary to strengthen interpersonal relationships, develop a commanding attitude, and instill confidence and enthusiasm in your workplace.
What You'll Learn
Learn how to build trust and motivate people to act. Gain ways to project an enthusiastic attitude, communicate logically, clearly and concisely; and energize and engage listeners. Discover ways to manage stress and minimize worry, encourage positive thinking, and commit to continuous improvement.
Why you want to learn it
You'll be better equipped to perform as an influential communicator, problem-solver and focused leader. You'll learn to strengthen interpersonal relationships, manage stress and handle fast-changing workplace conditions. And you'll develop a take-charge attitude initiated with confidence and enthusiasm.
How it will help you
After you will be able to : - Tackle Complex Challenges - Generate More & Better Ideas - Excel as a Consensus Building - Communicate Clearly & Concisely - Apply 30 Human Relations Principles


text:
Sitting in the middle of Sydney Harbour, Cockatoo Island is a World Heritage listed location with a wealth of history to uncover. In search of some truths about the island's dark past as the Australian answer to Alcatraz, Sara Chare follows the Cockatoo Island Convict Trail.
Australia itself was once considered to be one big prison, what with the transportation of thousands of British convicts to the country between 1788 and 1868, and on 23 February 1839, sixty prisoners arrived on Cockatoo Island after Governor George Gipps decided it would be a good place for a new jail. Today, the island welcomes tourists, family day-trippers, and stylish Sydney locals who have come to sip wine and nibble pizza at the Island Bar.
After a 15-minute ferry ride from Darling Harbour, I arrived on the island, which has been a prison twice, the site of a girl's school, home to Australia's largest shipyard, and is now a World Heritage listed site because of its intrinsic historic value. There are a number of self-guided walks charting its history but I had already settled on following the Convict Trail, so after picking up my map I set off.
The first building I came to was the Engineers' and Blacksmiths' Shop, a large industrial space held up by steel girders and bricks, and which smelled of pigeons and dust. Built in the 1850s, and despite housing only machinery and empty space, it is a strangely fascinating place that makes you want to whip out your camera and take arty, industrial-chic photographs.
I exited through a tiny blue door reminiscent of Alice in Wonderland, keeping my eye open for the red signs pointing the way, and soon spotted Fitzroy Dock, built over a decade by shackled convicts toiling waist-deep in water. The surrounding buildings were made of sandstone quarried by the first arrivals, and it was here that 550 men were housed in a space meant for 300. Conditions were atrocious: no washing facilities, little or no ventilation. It's little surprise that riots broke out, during which wardens would take potshots at the inmates from the safety of the guardhouse (now a roofless shell). Any ringleaders would be confined for up to a month in one of the twelve underground isolation cells – known as "graves for the living" – with only the rats for company. I shuddered at the thought and moved on, only to discover what remains of some of the six-metre-deep grain silos hewn out of the rock using just hand tools; it's said that if a prisoner did not reach his daily quota of stone, he was not lifted out that day.
Biloela House is the last stop on the trail before taking the stairs back down to ground level. Perched on the highest point of the island it was intended for the superintendent and his family, and sitting on its wide, shady veranda, watching the sailing boats and listening to the sound of seagulls squawking and the ferry horns, I pondered Cockatoo Island's convict history. With conditions on the island so deplorable and with Sydney so tantalizingly close and visible, most would think about escape, but few tried it. Many of the prisoners couldn't swim and those that could knew the waters were teeming with sharks as well as rowboat patrols.
The most famous escapee, however, was Frederick Ward, better known as the bushranger Captain Thunderbolt, who was at Cockatoo for seven years for stealing horses. In 1863 he swam successfully to shore after his devoted part-Aboriginal wife Mary Bugg had swum to the island to leave him the tools needed. Mary waited for him on the opposite shore, equipped with her trusty white steed, and the pair eventually rode away to freedom. The law didn't catch up with Captain Thunderbolt until 1870 when he was shot near Uralla in New South Wales. Luckily for me, I don't have to wait for a moonless, foggy night to leave the island, there's a ferry in 30 minutes. That's just enough time to buy a coffee from the Airstream cafe, admire the harbour and enjoy the fact that times have changed.
If you want to explore Sydney and this enormous country, use our Rough Guide to Australia. Book hostels for your trip and don't forget to purchase travel insurance before you go.